[R-390] HSN Status -- and a poll

[Barry Hauser]

Hi Harry & List:

I'm still the editor of HSN.  Of course, that and $2 bucks will get me a
ride on the subway. ;-)

Not all that surprising, but I have encountered the same problem as the
previous editor -- a combination of the lack of willing contributors and
suitable material in view of the ever increasing role of the Internet.  Very
short items are more suited for places like the reflectors with periodic
accumulation into the "Pearls of Wisdom".  Lengthier subjects and
construction arcticles call for more space and detailed graphics.  The
hardcopy newsletter format is limited in terms of graphics and, almost
always, a better presentation can be made on web pages and/or pdf files.

I have tried to come up with material that would be suitable, but each idea
vaporized into cyberspace. I have a problem publishing something that's
already out there or pops up before the ink could dry -- doesn't make much
sense.

It may well be, as the previous editor (Reid Wheeler) concluded when he
handed it off, that the time for a snailmail newsletter has passed us by.  I
thought I'd give it a shot to keep it alive and did manage to get three
issues out. There are two that have been "almost "in the can", but remain
unfinished for a year or two now.  For a time, in the early days, a previous
editor (Dallas) generated most of the material himself and continued to
contribute original material.  I'm not in a position to do the same -- 
unless the readership would be happy with pure fiction, some rants and an
occasional screed. ;-).

At some point, HSN included a number of very brief articles -- of a few
lines.  Most of this kind of material is much better handled on the nets and
it is, so I took the position of doing full issue articles.  It also used to
carry some ads, but the lead/lag time makes it unsuitable.

At one point, I had discussed this with Ralph Sanserino, the publisher,
whether HSN was obsolete and it should fade into the past, or be adapted to
an online version, whether by subscription or free.  It would be much easier
to publish online in both terms of logistics and format and result in a
better product with sharp color photos, etc.  Ralph pointed out that there
are a number of old timers who are not wired to the Internet -- but I'm not
sure that's a significant enough factor.

Dave Wise's recent work brings up the same issues again, with an additional
consideration.  If he had ready copy right now and photos or line drawings,
and I jumped on it, it would still be a month or two before you'd see it -- 
at best.  I would still need to fill out another 4 pages or so before the
issue were ready.  At the moment, this becomes "Plan B".

As far as money is concerned, it's not really a factor.  The subscription
price for HSN is something like $5 or $6 for 3 issues, and set to barely
cover the cost of printing and mailing, thus even a free website would be
more cost-effective.  (While some of you are owed issues -- and Ralph has
the records -- I doubt that it adds up to very much, if so can be refunded
or whatever.)

What I'm doing here is trial-ballooning -- running it up the flagpole to see
if it gets any salutes (or generates "incoming").  Methinks it's time to go
Web-oidal with HSN, if it is to have a future at all.  If you wish, you can
certainly print it, three-hole punch and bind 'em.  It would also be
practical to amend and update articles and provide a revision numbering
scheme so you would know if you had the latest and greatest - for
refinements such as "Well gents, I subsequently found that a 220 ohm
resistor works much better .."  I would scan and put up all the old ones I
can find.

My thinking is to have it free and probably open access - no subscriptions,
however might take paid advertising -- of the type that would be of
intrinsic interest..  I'd rather not get involved in classified listings, as
there are better, established venues for that and it creates a maintenance
obligation.  ("It's sold, please take my ad down."  "Please change to $XXX
or best offer.", etc.)

Of course, this does not solve the lack of inflow of publishable material
problem immediately, though it makes more types of arcticles and notes "fit
to print" -- even if some are redundant with other sources or reflector
archives, etc.  Increased exposure might motivate more people to contribute.
The pieces don't have to be any particular size.

As for the few who do not have Internet access, that could be on the buddy
system -- friends can print and mail to them as a favor or in trade for a
toob or two.

So, what do you folks think?  I have a website available, and/or could get
another going rather quickly.

Barry










----- Original Message ----- 
From: <DCrespy at aol.com>
To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 9:14 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Ending The Moment Of Silence


>
> Dave, and all.  I should still be a subscriber and have not seen a  copy
of
> HSN in at least 2 years.  I think it has died a quiet death?   Please
consider
> some other way to make the info available?
>
> Harry  KG5LO
> Saline MI:
>
> .
>
> I'm going to try to put it all into an HSN  article.
>
> 73,
> Dave
>
>
>
>
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